Wisconsin just dropped some seriously good news for their Big Ten Conference opener against Penn State on September 25. Right guard Emerson Mandell and tight end Ryan Schwendeman are officially listed as probable for the contest, getting the upgrade after being questionable for the last two reports. Talk about a boost when you need it most!
The Foot Surgery Comeback That Matters
Mandell’s story alone is enough to get you hyped. This dude went through foot surgery in the spring, and frankly, who knew when we’d see him back in action? But he showed up last week, playing 26 snaps, which is huge! Think about it, that’s his first game *this season*. Twenty-six snaps after foot surgery? That’s not just playing, that’s grinding, that’s showing up when the team needs you. His return to the probable list means Wisconsin’s offensive line just got a major shot in the arm. You know Penn State’s defense was probably game planning assuming he’d be out, or at least heavily limited. Now, they have to deal with a key piece returning to the interior. That changes things for how you approach stopping the run and protecting the quarterback. What a turnaround for Mandell heading into a conference showdown.
Badgers Getting Healthy, Nittany Lions Taking Hits
And it’s not just Mandell. Schwendeman’s probable status is big too, even if he’s only seen five snaps on offense this season, back in that 41-13 loss to Notre Dame. Getting a tight end back in the mix adds another dimension to the offense, another weapon for the play caller. These upgrades for Mandell and Schwendeman follow similar good news from a day earlier, when running back Abu Sama and receiver Malachi Coleman also went from questionable to probable. It’s like the Badgers are getting healthy at just the right time, pulling guys off the questionable list left and right. Add in punter Sean West, a junior, now probable too, and you’ve got a whole list of players ready to go: running back Abu Sama, receiver Malachi Coleman, linebacker Mason Posa, receiver Eugene Hilton, quarterback Danny O’Neil, right tackle Kevin Heywood, right guard Emerson Mandell, tight end Ryan Schwendeman and punter Sean West are all looking good for the opener.
But while Wisconsin is getting healthier, Penn State is taking a hit where it counts. They did get receiver Ethan Black upgraded to probable, which is nice for them, sure. But the *real* story on their side is the absence of their leading receiver, Koby Howard. Penn State coach Matt Campbell confirmed Howard is expected to miss an extended period. That’s a gut punch! Losing your top target right before a crucial conference opener? That’s absolutely massive and could swing the momentum.
This Big Ten opener on September 25 is shaping up to be a wild one. Wisconsin is rolling in with some key players back and ready to make an impact, especially with Mandell’s incredible comeback story. Penn State, meanwhile, is missing their main weapon, which puts a ton of pressure on their other guys to step up. Every snap is going to matter in this one. Can Wisconsin capitalize on their upgraded roster, or will Penn State find a way to overcome a huge injury? We’re about to find out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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